Web feeding apparatus using fluid support

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for supporting and feeding a web material by impinging a flowing fluid against the web material comprising rotatable fluid ejection cylinders on opposing sides of the web, the cylinders having means to restrict the flow of the fluid so as to impinge on the web. Suction means are provided downstream to remove the fluid carrying the web. A plurality of cylinder/suction units comprise the web carrying apparatus. A process for feeding a web using the described apparatus.

Matsumo et al.

[ NOV. 13, 1973 WEB FEEDING APPARATUS USING FLUID SUPPORT [75] lnventors: Takaaki Matsumo, Ashigaro;

Takeshi Nakamura, Minami, both of Japan I [73] Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.,

Kanagawa, Japan [22] Filed: Oct. 12, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 297,159

[ l Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 12, 1971 Japan 46/80592 [52] US. Cl 226/7, 34/156, 226/97 [51] Int. Cl B65h 17/32 {58] Field of Search 226/7, 97; 34/156 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,691,225 10/1954 Kamprath 35/156 3,065,098 11/1962 Brooks 35/156X Primary Examiner--Richard A. Schacher Att0rneyRichard C. Sughrue et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for supporting and feeding a web material by impinging a flowing fluid against the web material comprising rotatable fluid ejection cylinders on opposing sides of the web, the cylinders having means to restrict the flow of the fluid so as to impinge on the web. Suction means are provided downstream to remove the fluid carrying the web. A plurality of cylinder/suction units comprise the web carrying apparatus. A process for feeding a web using the described apparatus.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure PATENTED NEW 13 1975 WEB FEEDING APPARATUS USING FLUID SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for feeding a web without directly contacting the web surface except with a flowing fluid and more particularly to an apparatus for feeding a film web into a film processing machine, such as a developing apparatus, without directly contacting the film web surface with the developing apparatus. p

2. Description of the Prior Art In conventional web feeding apparatus using feeding rollers, a web, such as an elongated photosensitive film web, is fed by the rollers by friction. Various disadvantages are encountered with such a friction based web feeding apparatus, i.e., the photosensitive film web is liable to be pressure sensitized or scratched by the pressure or friction imparted thereto by the feeding rollers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which feedsa web without directly contacting the surface thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding a photosensitive film web through a development bath without using feed rollers.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding a photosensitive film web without contacting the surface thereof in a development bath so that image development is uniformly and effectively performed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding a photosensitive film web in a development bath which effectively stirs the developer within the bath and accelerates the development.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for feeding a web which does not require accessories such as guide plates and gearing mechanisms for-driving rollers.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a web feeding apparatus suitable for use in a photographic processing machine'in which the surface ofthe photographic film web is 'efficiently protected from mechanical damage. I

In order to accomplish the above objects of the invention, aparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a pair of rotatable fluid jet. cylinders opposed to each other and provided with space for fluid supported web passage therebetween, i.e., the web is supported in the space between the fluid jet cylinders and fed between the fluid jet cylinders without being brought into contact with the cylinders. The fluid may be a gas, liquid or mixture thereof.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent fromthe following detailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing shows an elevational sectional view of a part of the web feeding system in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring nowto the drawing, the reference numerals 1 and l indicate a pair of jet flow direction control course, be balanced to support the web. Within each of cylinders arranged in face to face relationship and having a web passage area 7 therebetween. Within the direction control cylinders 1 and l, a pair of rotatable fluid jet cylinders 2 and 2 are concentrically provided having a number ofjet holes 3 and 3', respectively, uniformly provided on the surface thereof.

The cylinders 2 and 2' can be rotated by any known power source, for example by an electric motor (not shown).

The direction control cylinders l and 1- openings along their axis, respectively, and the distance S1 between one edge thereof and the web 7 is narrower than the distance S2 between another edge and the web 7, so that fluid ejected from the holes 3 produces a feeding force on the web to'be fed.

The fluid flow from each opposed cylinder should, of

the fluid jet cylinders 2 and 2, there is provided a fluid supply conduit 4, 4', respectively. Downstream of the pairs of cylinders 2 and 2 a pair of suction pipes 6' and 6 are provided on both sides of the web passage area 7. The suction pipes 6 and 6 can be provided with a number of suction holes arranged in a line parallel to the axis of the suction pipes or with slits as represented by 5 and 5' extending parallel to the axis of the pipes 6 and 6', respectively. I

The suction cylinder 6 is located at a suitable position between the adjacent cylinders in the direction of web travel where the feeding force by means of the fluid flow has substantially been lost.

- The pair of jet cylinders 2 and 2 retained in the direction control cylinders 1 and 1 and the pair of suctiori pipes 6 and 6' constitute one unit of the web feeding system or apparatus. A number of units are arranged along the web passage area 7 to continuously feed the web along the axis of the web passage area 7.

Various liquids used for photographic treating processes and heated air are preferred fluids which are used in the present invention.

In operation, gas and/or liquid is supplied into the fluid jet cylinders 2 and 2' through conduits 4 and 4 and injected out of the cylinders 2 and 2 through the 1 jet holes 3'and 3'. The flow of the fluid jet'from the cylinders 2"a'nd-2"is directed toward the web passage area 7 by the direction control cylinders land 1' which open only toward the web passage area 7. I When a web is sent thereinto, the jet flows are reflected by the surface of the web and the web is supported and fed thereby. The jet'flows guided along the surfaces of the web are moved by the suction pipes 6 and 6' through the suction holes or slits 5 and 5. The flow from the openings of the direction control cylinders to the suction holes or slits feeds the web in the direction of the flow. Thus, the web is fed from one unit to the next and then continuously fed along the complete arrangement of the units.

In the embodiment described above, the interval between adjacentunits is preferably about 2.5 to about 3 times as large as the diameter of the jet cylinders 2 and 2. The space between the opposed jet cylinders is perferably slightly larger than the thickness of the web fed thereby, e-.g., for a 250 p. thick web one could space the cylinders 100 p. 5mm. H

It should be noted that the number of revolutions of the rotatable fluid jet cylinders 2'and 2' and the direction of the opening of the direction control cylinders l and 1' may be made varied if desired. The position of the suction pipes 6 and 6' are determined so that the web fed by the unit involving the suction pipes can be effectively sent to the next subsequent unit.

One embodiment of apparatus as shown in the draw- Space between opposed jet cylinders: lOOL-S Needless to say, depending upon the web being fed, rate of feed desired, etc., these figures can vary.

It will be apparent from the above description that various modifications and changes may be made in the apparatus described without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for feeding a web material without directly contacting the surface thereof comprising a plurality of units arranged in a line along the passage of the web material, said units comprising:

a pair of rotating jet cylinders having a number of jet holes thereon for fluid ejection, the jet cylinders provided on both sides of said passage in opposed relationship;

means for restricting the area in which fluid is ejected from the jet holes of said cylinders so that the fluid is directed only toward the passage of the web;

and a suction means located on both sides of the web passage downstream of said pair of jet cylinders for removing the fluid ejected out of saidjet cylinders, whereby the web material is supported and passed from unit to unit by the force of the ejected fluid impinging against the web material.

2. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for restricting the area in which the fluid flows are ejected comprises a pair of partially opened cylinders respectively enclosing the jet cylinders, the opening being directed toward the passage of the web.

3. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the partially opened cylinders are rotatable to vary the direction of the opening.

4. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the partially opened cylinders are located concentrically with the jet cylinders.

5. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, where the web is a photosensitive film web wherein the interval between units along the axis of the web passage area is from about 2.5 to about 3 times as large as the diameter of the jet cylinders.

6. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, where the web is a photosensitive film web wherein the space between the opposed pair of jet cylinders is slightly larger than the thickness of the film web.

7. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the suction means comprises suction pipes provided with a number of suction holes arranged in a line parallel to the axis of the pipe.

8. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the suction means comprises suction pipes provided with a slit extending parallel to the axis of the pipe.

9. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, where the ejected fluid is a gas, liquid or gas/liquid mixture.

10. A process for feeding a web material comprising:

1. impinging a fluid against both sides of the web in a manner such that the web is balanced by the force of the impinging fluid and moved by the impinging fluid in contact thereagainst, the impinging fluid being applied via rotating jet cylinders which intermittently interrupt the impingement of fluid onto the web;

2. permitting said web to leave the immediate area of initial fluid impingement in a balanced state solely under the motive force imparted thereagainst by said impinging fluid;

3. passing said web while still in a balanced state between suction means to remove the impinged fluid therefrom;

4. repeating steps (1) to (3) until the desired web feeding is completed. 

1. Apparatus for feeding a web material without directly contacting the surface thereof comprising a plurality of units arranged in a line along the passage of the web material, said units comprising: a pair of rotating jet cylinders having a number of jet holes thereon for fluid ejection, the jet cylinders provided on both sides of said passage in opposed relationship; means for restricting the area in which fluid is ejected from the jet holes of said cylinders so that the fluid is directed only toward the passage of the web; and a suction means located on both sides of the web passage downstream of said pair of jet cylinders for removing the fluid ejected out of said jet cylinders, whereby the web material is supported and passed from unit to unit by the force of the ejected fluid impinging against the web material.
 2. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for restricting the area in which the fluid flows are ejected comprises a pair of partially opened cylinders respectively enclosing the jet cylinders, the opening being directed toward the passage of the web.
 2. permitting said web to leave the immediate area of initial fluid impingement in a balanced state solely under the motive force imparted thereagainst by said impinging fluid;
 3. passing said web while still in a balanced state between suction means to remove the impinged fluid therefrom;
 3. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the partially opened cylinders are rotatable to vary the direction of the opening.
 4. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the partially opened cylinders are located concentrically with the jet cylinders.
 4. repeating steps (1) to (3) until the desired web feeding is completed.
 5. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, where the web is a photosensitive film web wherein the interval between units along the axis of the web passage area is from about 2.5 to about 3 times as large as the diameter of the jet cylinders.
 6. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, where the web is a photosensitive film web wherein the space between the opposed pair of jet cylinders is slightly larger than the thickness of the film web.
 7. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the suction means comprises suction pipes provided with a number of suction holes arranged in a line parallel to the axis of the pipe.
 8. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the suction means comprises suction pipes provided with a slit extending parallel to the axis of the pipe.
 9. Web feeding apparatus as defined in claim 1, where the ejected fluid is a gas, liquid or gas/liquid mixture.
 10. A process for feeding a web material comprising: 